Valley Parents: Kids Calendar

A medieval festival takes place in Thetford from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 25. Sponsored by the Open Fields School, the event includes a parade, juggling, music, food, games of skill and traditional crafts. Admission is $7, under 5 free. Taking place that same day is a cheese and dairy celebration at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Route 12 North. Admission is $3-$12, under 2 free. And there's an alumni day parade on Main Street in West Lebanon at 11 a.m.For additional family-friendly events taking place from May through August, see the Kids Calendar on pages 16-17.

Photograph courtesy of Open Fields School

May 11 is kite day at the summit of Balch Hill in Hanover, thanks to the sponsorship of Hanover Conservancy. Flying kites with the kids, from 2-4 p.m., makes for a relaxing, and colorful, afternoon. Free. 603-643-3433.

Photograph courtesy of Hanover Conservancy

July 26 and 27, the kids of Chelsea Funnery will host a production of a Shakespearen play that includes slapstick, dance, music and masks. The exact place for the performance has yet to be determined, but the show on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the Saturday show is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Admission is by donation. Check the website at www.thechelseafunnery.com for details later in the summer.

Sheep Shearing and Herding in Woodstock: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Billings Farm & Museum, Route 12 North. A weekend to watch the spring shearing of ewes and demonstrations of border collies herding sheep in the fields. Admission includes a children’s art show and the 28th annual spring commemorative button. $3-$12, under 2 free. 802-457-2355.

Freelance Family Singers in Woodstock: Congregational Church, 36 Elm St., 7 p.m. on May 4, 3 p.m. on May 5. Ellen Satterwaite directs singers from throughout the Upper Valley and beyond. Free, but donations of items for the community food shelf are encouraged. 802-457-2248.

May 5

Vernal Pools at Greensboro Ridge in Hanover: Dartmouth College biology professor Mark McPeek leads an easy to moderate excursion to explore woodland waters in the spring. Meet at top of Velvet Rocks Drive off the Greensboro Road. Free. Sponsored by Hanover Conservancy. 603-643-3433.

International Migratory Bird Day in Quechee: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Vermont Institute of Natural Science, off Route 4. Celebrate the return of migratory birds by painting wooden bird nest boxes, viewing the Conte Watershed on Wheels exhibit and more. Reduced admission is $5 per person, $10 for a next box. 802-359-5000.

Mother’s Day Spa Workshop in Woodstock: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., ArtisTree Community Arts Center, 1206 Route 12. Mothers and daughters pair up for a day of making soap, bath teas lotions and more. $65 per pair, $45 single. 802-457-3500.

Upper Valley Brain Bee: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Room 200 at Life Sciences Building, Dartmouth College. Local high school students compete in a neuroscience competition. Free. 856-906-7498.

Kite Day at Balch Hill in Hanover: 2-4 p.m. at the summit of Balch Hill. The combination of kids and kites makes for a relaxing and colorful afternoon. Free. Sponsored by Hanover Conservancy. 603-643-3433.

May 12

Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk in Hanover: 1-3 p.m., Goose Pond Road, at the pull-off north of Wolfeboro Road. Botanist Alice Schori leads an excursion in search of spring wildflowers, club mosses and unfurling ferns. Free. Sponsored by Hanover Conservancy. 603-643-3433.

Women’s Suffrage Parade in South Royalton: 2 p.m., beginning at South Royalton School, 223 S. Windsor St. High School students at South Royalton School commemorate the 100th anniversary of women earning the right to vote in the United States. Free. 802-763-7740.

May 12 and 19

Fly Fishing School in Quechee: Sundays, 4:30-7 p.m., Dewey’s Pond, meeting at Quechee Inn, Quechee Main Street. Children ages 15 and older and adults learn the art of fly fishing with instructor Pete Meijer, of Wilderness Trails. Admission is $75 or $85 and includes equipment. Participants must have a valid Vermont fishing license. Register by May 8. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

May 14 and 17

Clyde the Box Turtle in Etna: 10-11 a.m., Etna Library, 130 Etna Road. Preschoolers and their caregivers spend some time with a box turtle named Clyde. Free. 603-643-6941.

Minigolf Tournament in West Lebanon: 6-8 p.m., Fore-U Golf, Route 12A. A minigolf tournament for adults and children alike includes a barbecue dinner and raises money for Upper Valley Hostel. The hostel provides overnight accommodations for adults receiving out-patient treatment at area medical centers and also assists family members of hospitalized patients. Registration fee is $25 for adults, $10 for children. 603-643-3277.

Alumni Day Parade in West Lebanon: 11 a.m., Main Street. Free. 603-448-1497.

Medieval Festival in Thetford: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., on the Thetford green. The sights and sounds of a medieval village include music, juggling, games of skill, traditional crafts and more. Costumes are encouraged. Free. 802-738-9245.

June 1

Trek to Taste in Woodstock: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park, Route 12 North. A day of walking and sampling of local food, appropriate for all ages. Three routes to choose from. Activities include crafts, games, music, trail work demonstrations and more. Free. 802-457-3500.

Veterans Tribute in South Royalton: 5 p.m., Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial, 357 LDA Lane. “Hope of America” is a nondenominational salute to veterans featuring the Royalton Town Band, the Randolph Singers, a color guard with bagpipes and more. Free. 802-763-7742.

June 9

Twilight Kayak Trip in Hartland: 4-7:30 p.m., North Hartland Lake, 112 Clay Hill Road. Children ages 15 and up and adults join Pete Meijer for a flat-water excursion that includes visiting a blue heron rookery and watching for bald eagles. Admission is $20-$35, including kayak rentals, if needed. Register by May 10. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

June 10

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Living History Performance in Woodstock: 7 p.m., Woodstock History Center, 26 Elm St. Helene Lang portrays one of Vermont’s most prolific writers. In 40 works of fiction and nonfiction, Fisher took on such topics as discrimination, fraud and brutality. Free. Sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council. 802-457-1822.

June 16

Trail Kids in Hanover: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Velvet Rocks, meet at Hanover Co-op parking lot, 45 S. Park St. Children ages 9-12 join Chris Lord and Hanover high school students from Youth-in-Action for an excursion to the Velvet Rocks shelter and the summit itself. Free. Register by June 10. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

Twilight Kayak Trip in West Hartford: 4-7:30 p.m., Clifford Park, 100 Recreation Drive. Children ages 15 and up and adults join Pete Meijer for an excursion that includes six miles of light riffles and flat water on the lower White River, ending at Watson Park. Admission is $20-$35, including kayak rentals, if needed. Register by May 10. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

June 17-August 23

Art Camps in White River Junction: Children ages 3-10 explore a variety of individual and group art projects and take a daily field trip to the train station at Oh, Art, 63 Gates St. Full-day and half-day packages available, running Monday-Friday. Admission is $200-$360. Registration deadlines vary. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

Classical and Modern Ballet in Quechee: Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Strong House Spa, Quechee Main Street. Children ages 15 and older and adults learn ballet movements, steps and exercises with Madame Eleonora Stein. Admission is $90 or $100. Register by June 13. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

June 22-July 27

Ballroom Dancing in Quechee: Saturdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Strong House Spa, Quechee Main Street. Children ages 15 and older and adults learn the fox trot, waltz, rumba and more with Madame Eleonora Stein. Admission is $180 or $190 per couple. Register by June 17. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

Junior Farm Vet Camp in Woodstock: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Billings Farm & Museum, Route 12 North. Children age 10-15 are introduced to the physiology and basic care of large farm animals. Program supervised by a veterinarian. Admission is $325. Program repeats July 15-19. 802-457-2355.

June 24-August 9

Summer Ventures in White River Junction: Weekly summer camps for children in grades K-6 include a full day of supervised activities, such as music, sports, swimming and crafts. Each session runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, Hartford High School, 37 Highland Ave. Admission is $95-$135 per session. Registration deadlines vary. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

Counselor In Training in White River Junction: Children ages 13-15 work with Hartford Parks and Recreation staff to experience the job of a Summer Ventures counselor. Classes run from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, at Hartford High School, 37 Highland Ave. Admission is $50 or $60. Register by May 24. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

June 24-August 12

Family Soccer Nights in White River Junction: Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m., Kilowatt Park, 61 Passumpsic Ave. A drop-in program for children and adults. Free. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

June 26

Dave Keller Band in White River Junction: 6:30 p.m., Lyman Point Park, 167 Maple St. An evening of blues and soul music. Free. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band in Lebanon: 7 p.m., Lebanon Opera House, 51 N. Park St. An evening with what has been called the “quintessential New Orleans jazz band.” Admission is $37.50. 603-448-0400.

June 27-30

Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival in Tunbridge: A festival of camping and bluegrass music opens from 3-9 p.m. on Thursday, then continues 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday. Camping facilities include hot showers and public rest rooms, water and electric hook-ups. Day and weekend passes available. Visit www.jennybrookbluegrass.com for details. 802-380-4106.

July 3

Carter Glass Band in White River Junction: 6:30 p.m., Lyman Point Park, 167 Maple St. An evening of acoustic rock ‘n’ roll. Free. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

Kearsarge Community Band in New London: 6:30 p.m., on the green. Bring a picnic dinner and gather at the Mary Haddad bandstand for an evening of family music. Free. Sponsored by Center for the Arts. 603-526-4444.

Into the Grimm in Hartford: 6:30-7:30, Lyman Point Park, 167 Maple St. The Little Red Wagon presents fairy tales as you have never seen them before. Come for a Hansel and Gretel game show, an interrogation of Little Red Riding Hood, and the property developers called the Three Little Pigs. Free.

Band Concert and Ice Cream Social in Woodstock: 7 p.m., Woodstock History Center, 26 Elm St. A concert with Dick Ellis and the South Royalton Band includes ice cream made by Mountain Creamery. Bring blankets or chairs for outdoor seating. Event will be rescheduled if it rains. Admission is by donation. 802-457-1822.

July 13

Bow Hunter Safety Course in Hartford: A hunter safety class for children of all ages is taught by certified instructors. Free. Register by July 13. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

July 15-August 23

Video Camps in White River Junction: Children in grades 6-9 join the staff of CATV for beginner and advanced video camps throughout July and August. Classes run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday. Admission is $150 or $160. Registration deadlines vary. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

Youth Shakespeare Production in Chelsea: 6 p.m. on Friday, 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, location to be determined. Children age 12-18 combine Shakespeare with slapstick, dance, masks and music in an outdoor setting. Admission is by donation. 802-461-5822.

July 27

Story Walk, Crafts and Picnic in White River Junction: Children ages 3 and older join their grandmothers for a walk through Hurricane Forest, 270 Wright Reservoir Road, as they read Sheep Take a Hike and make craft projects at stations set up along the way. The day ends with a picnic at Wright’s Reservoir. Free. Sponsored by Hartford Parks and Recreation. 802-295-5036.

August 10

Welcome Abenaki Day in White River Junction: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Lyman Point Park, 167 Maple St. An opportunity to learn and enjoy the culture and history of Hartford’s original inhabitants. Free. Sponsored by the Hartford Historical Society. 802-295-2713.

CORRECTION

This article has been amended to correct an earlier error. The following correction appeared in the Tuesday, May 7 edition of the Valley News:

The Cow Pie Bingo Festival in Hanover will be held on May 18. Valley Parents magazine on Friday gave the wrong date.

(Editor’s note: To explore this edition of Valley Parents, scroll to the “related stories” section at the bottom of this article.) ■ I figure there are two types of parents: those for whom Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are terribly important events in the life of the family, and those who could basically not care less. I fall into the …